Discussion
Thanks guys!
What I paid for mine isn't that relevant any more, but looking at what goes through on eBay you should be able to get a good one for around £5k, possibly less.
They aren't an especially cheap car to run though, many early cars will need a cambelt, which is v. expensive, while ball joints are expensive in cost, manifolds are expensive in terms of time, and there are various other issues to watch for too.
However, when I look at what I got for my money, compared to what you get today for £15-20k for a new/nearly new one, I know which represents the best value. While the 200 does seem to be a bit better in a number of areas, it is still essentially the same car, which makes a £5k 197 seem like a bargain.
I wrote a buyers guide a few months ago that should be going into Performance French Car, would be happy to share once it has been published, in the meantime though feel free to ask.
What I paid for mine isn't that relevant any more, but looking at what goes through on eBay you should be able to get a good one for around £5k, possibly less.
They aren't an especially cheap car to run though, many early cars will need a cambelt, which is v. expensive, while ball joints are expensive in cost, manifolds are expensive in terms of time, and there are various other issues to watch for too.
However, when I look at what I got for my money, compared to what you get today for £15-20k for a new/nearly new one, I know which represents the best value. While the 200 does seem to be a bit better in a number of areas, it is still essentially the same car, which makes a £5k 197 seem like a bargain.
I wrote a buyers guide a few months ago that should be going into Performance French Car, would be happy to share once it has been published, in the meantime though feel free to ask.
Edited by FlashBastd on Monday 12th September 13:39
FA51CAM said:
What a great thread, took me over two evenings to read, mind you I do have a very short attention span! How does it drive being over 60K miles (think it was you said) is it showing any signs of its age other than normal wear and tear!
I was thinking the same.It had 80k when he bought it, must be pushing 6 figures now, lots of components renewed/changed/upgraded though.
To be honest it has driven really well since the day I got it; yes I changed the suspension for that from a much lower mileage (18,000 mile) car, but it really didn't make much difference. Similarly the new steering rack feels very similar to the original.
There have been issues such as the manifold, ball joint, dropping door, worn steering wheel and seat, etc but the car drives really well!
I haven't driven a newer Clio to compare it to but it generally feels pretty tight, especially for it's mileage, which is around 92,400 at the moment.
There have been issues such as the manifold, ball joint, dropping door, worn steering wheel and seat, etc but the car drives really well!
I haven't driven a newer Clio to compare it to but it generally feels pretty tight, especially for it's mileage, which is around 92,400 at the moment.
People knock Clios but I think they are great. On my second, the first one I bought for £300 and ran it for two years and 15k with no problems. Sold it to my mate as I upgraded to a 172 Cup. Was going strong until his wife had a minor miss hap on the motorway last week.
They are not as fragile as people think!
They are not as fragile as people think!
Found some footage of me!
http://youtu.be/iwJDsWBIYQY
Granted some of the lines are a bit dubious, but still well chuffed!
http://youtu.be/iwJDsWBIYQY
Granted some of the lines are a bit dubious, but still well chuffed!
http://youtu.be/Lm0nG0QLhyo
Flying lap of Cadwell filmed with my Contour GPS. Try changing the res to full 1080p
Flying lap of Cadwell filmed with my Contour GPS. Try changing the res to full 1080p
More footage, with speed and elevation, I should be a bit quicker in this one, haven't checked yet though.
http://contour.com/stories/cadwell-park-13th-septe...
http://contour.com/stories/cadwell-park-13th-septe...
FlashBastd said:
More footage, with speed and elevation, I should be a bit quicker in this one, haven't checked yet though.
http://contour.com/stories/cadwell-park-13th-septe...
Great to watch.http://contour.com/stories/cadwell-park-13th-septe...
Love the GPS, interesting watching you pull 164kph when the Exige and twonty yellow car were punching a hole through the air for you.
The car sounds smooth, goes very well and your lines are crisp.
I didn't watch it all but I saw it was 25 minutes long, did you really stay out that long?
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